Even if you’re a Gator hater, there is no joy in Meyer’s departure
It’s a tough business. I get that. And over the course of six seasons a head football coach in the SEC can rub a lot of people the wrong way, especially the people he beats.
But if you’re a Bulldog or a Volunteer for a Gamecock or a member of the Crimson Tide Nation, you really shouldn’t be celebrating today over the news that Urban Meyer is leaving as the head coach at Florida.
I’ve had my own issues Meyer.
He was flat wrong when he suspended linebacker Brandon Spikes for only one-half game after Spikes clearly tried to hurt Georgia’s Washaun Ealey (sticking his fingers in the facemask). Only after the public outcry did Spikes “suddenly” decide that his suspension should be for one game.
He was wrong when he dressed down a reporter in practice in front of cell phone cameras. If he had an issue with the reporter, then there is a right way–a professional way–to address the concern. He chose the wrong way. I don’t know if Meyer was trying to put on a show for his players but it was unprofessional behavior. You don’t use people as props because you want to win football games.
He was flat wrong when he allowed Chris Rainey to return to the team and I said so. There are certain lines in life that you do not cross and threats against women is one of those lines. The rationalizations about who Rainey was and his background, etc., may have all been true. But all that pales in comparison to a text message that said “Time to die, ——-.”
The more success Meyer and the Florida program had, the more withdrawn and insular it became. They became like rock stars who once basked in the attention that brought them fame and fortune but ultimately found it suffocating and just tried to block it all out.
But instead of managing the media and managing the very high expectations, which successful people do every day, Meyer chose to throw up walls and pull in the ranks and adopt this silly “us agains the world” mentality. Coaches do that because it’s easy and the players will easily buy into it. It’s much easier for a coach to tell a player “they are all out to get us” instead of “dealing with the media–good and bad–is part of growing up. If you want to play at the next level you need to learn how to deal with these people and be smart about it. We will teach you how to do that.” But that takes work and, in some coaches’ narrow view of the world, it has nothing to do with winning and losing and so it should simply be eliminated as a factor. It is short sighted but if you win enough games, being short sighted eventually becomes a virtue.
Having said all that, Meyer is/was a helluva coach and the record certainly proves that. He won two national championships in three seasons (2006, 2008) and was certainly good enough in 2009 to win a third but for Alabama. For five years at Florida his star burned as brightly as any I’ve ever seen. But on Wednesday he announced, in so many words, that he was burned out.
I know you love your school but most of you I hear from also love your conference and college football as a whole. And so there is no reason to celebrate when the sport burns out a talented coach. You would rather he stay so that when you finally beat him it is all the more sweet.
Florida will find another talented coach. Frankly, I’m going to be surprised if its not Dan Mullen. Whoever it is will be very successful. Steve Spurrier forever changed Florida’s football program in his 12 years (1990-2001) at the school. Before Spurrier arrived Florida had never won 10 games in a season and had never won an SEC championship. Spurrier raised the bar and so Florida will never go back for more than a year or two.
And for Urban Meyer? I predict that he will be out of coaching for only one year and will surface again. This year he got caught in the perfect storm of talent losses and coaching losses and the inability to summon up the fire in the belly that had burned white hot for five seasons. We were all guilty of thinking that Florida could just reload after four years of Tim Tebow. The Florida program took a dip as all programs do (see Texas). The Gators will be back sooner rather than later but Urban Meyer will no longer be their coach.
If you love the game, there is no reason to celebrate that.
And one last thing: If Urban Meyer goes to the Denver Broncos in the next two months, I take it all back.
Please follow me on Twitter:
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
621 comments Add your comment
Oh Well...
December 9th, 2010
9:41 am
Don Domingo,
Since when does offering the low bid amount to “sabotage”?
james
December 9th, 2010
9:42 am
MS. Bully,
Hate to break it to you, but fyi, UF is 100x’s the job that Miss St. is. State will forever be a stepping stone for coaches. And the fact he did what he did this past season just makes it all the more difficult for State to keep him.
Gator PR
December 9th, 2010
9:43 am
Meyer sent a text to the media regarding his decision
“Time 2 Retire”
gomdawg
December 9th, 2010
9:43 am
Simple, who gives a shzt. Meyers is not the coach Mark Richt is and never will be. This is the differents in class and no-class Mark will tern Georgia around, he didn’t run from his problems.
The Beast of the Least
December 9th, 2010
9:43 am
We don’t need Meyer, Florida will be fine. Anybody can coach the talent that comes to UF. Don’t let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya Coach Meyer.
sickos
December 9th, 2010
9:43 am
@ack,
It’s his DAUGHTER. Why even make a crack like that.
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
9:43 am
@ Top Recruit
“Meyer’s departure should be no surprise if you had closely watched him….”
I got the sense (during the season) that Meyer seemed to be tired of it all. But it was a tough season for any HC in that position, so I may have read too much into his demeanor.
SOGADOG IS AN IDIOT
December 9th, 2010
9:44 am
Mark Richt will never lead UGA to a national championship and very likely will not lead us to another SEC title. He’s 2-8 vs our biggest rival and 4-9 vs ranked team in the last THREE YEARS!! Wake up and stop accepting and even celebrating underacheivement!!
ty
December 9th, 2010
9:44 am
I’d imagine most UF fans wish Meyer well, but man, he really did jerk them around for the past 2 years.
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
9:44 am
MS. Bully
December 9th, 2010
9:40 am
Dan Mullen is a Mississippi State Bulldog and he will remain one. In case you missed it, State was 8-4 and easily could have been 10-2. Auburn escaped Starkville with a 3 point win. State went to Florida and beat the Gators and now state is playing Michigan in the GATOR Bowl. The only remedy is more COWBELL!!
Eh, I dunno. I see Millen wearing orange and blue next year for about twice the money he’s making now.
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
9:44 am
*Mullen
Randy Marsh
December 9th, 2010
9:45 am
This sux for GA because I was hoping we could hire Mullen after next season. Now he’ll be at FL and they’ll kill GA worse than they have been doing. Mullen beat GA at MS St, so just imagine what he’ll do at FL. It is obvious who has been running things for Meyer everywhere he’s been.
ty
December 9th, 2010
9:45 am
Sogadog is an idiot,
No way you are a Dawg fan. Your numbers are horse sh*t
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
9:46 am
BAMA dude
Disagree on Mullen. I think Foley will go west again….Boise or Utah.
gomdawg
December 9th, 2010
9:46 am
This Cam Newton thing is going thur. Florida and Mississppi and back to Auburn. The truth will set you free. THIS IS GOING TO GET UGLY.
The U
December 9th, 2010
9:46 am
If we cant get Mullen, Miami now better go after Leach
Who Knows?
December 9th, 2010
9:46 am
Maybe Trish is right. Maybe he just wants to spill his guts on the whole Cam Newton affair?
He knows in his heart that Florida could be headed to Glendale right now — if only he’d given Cam a tenth chance with the Gators.
Stay In Denial Bama Dude....
December 9th, 2010
9:47 am
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
9:40 am
Nah, it’s probably the same handle changing knucklehead that used to troll around here. His MO is to fill the board with as much of his nonsense as possible as fast as possible. Hasn’t been around for awhile- I had hoped he was banned.
Explain to me how the truth is “nonsense”. Were any of the articles I posted “inaccurate”? Alabama been on probation 3 times in the past decade, have they not? Were they not threatened with the Death Penalty? Are they still not in that window? Wake up Gomer!!
The governing body said it considered giving the Crimson Tide the most severe punishment — the death penalty — under the repeat violator rules for a recruiting scandal in which boosters were accused of paying money for high school players.
“They were absolutely staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Thomas Yeager, chairman of the infractions committee
“These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred.”
Shane
December 9th, 2010
9:47 am
Bama Dude,
Evidently there are going to be a lot of defections from the UF Freshman Class. They were not getting along with the rest of the team as it was. Now they feel betrayed as well. Going to be interesting to see who leaves. Really good article on Gatorsports.com regarding this.
Steven Hawking
December 9th, 2010
9:47 am
Asheville Dawg- you can call Meyer classless for the timeouts when you also call Richt classless for encouraging his team to rush the field for a TD. Personally, I believe it was the perfect payback- not trying for another late TD, but just a little message that “we remember.” He never did call that third timeout- too bad.
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
9:48 am
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
9:46 am
BAMA dude
Disagree on Mullen. I think Foley will go west again….Boise or Utah.
Ya think? Why would he? Mullen has shown the ability to lead a program in the SEC and would be the most celebrated choice I’d think.
Urban Meyer
December 9th, 2010
9:51 am
Mullen was at the top of the list last year. What has changed since then that would affect Florida’s opinion?
Bama Dude Can't Handle The Truth!!!!
December 9th, 2010
9:52 am
Saban being reported for violations by other coaches
The coaches of the SEC certainly have their eye on Alabama football coach Nick Saban.
According to a report in The Birmingham News, Saban has been accused of violations by other teams more than any other head coach in the country.
In his seven months at Alabama, Saban’s name has turned up more than any other coach’s in other schools’ allegations of secondary NCAA rules violations, an official with knowledge of the infractions process says.
Notthisyear
December 9th, 2010
9:52 am
Do you people really think this is bothering the Gator fans?If he did not want to be there then get the HE!! out of here! Everyone I have talked to is not upset about him leaving at all.NOT one bit!!!!!
Urban Meyer
December 9th, 2010
9:53 am
I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m writing a book. Look for it to come out next Spring.
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
9:53 am
BAMA dude
My logic is this: bringing in an entirely new staff from out west would generate a lot of the interest, speculation, etc…that the Meyer hire did.
Mullen is a great coach, but so are Petersen and Whittingham. I think Foley does well with any of those picks.
Just a hunch.
"Bama Dude" Is Clueless
December 9th, 2010
9:54 am
This one’s just for you “Bama Dude”!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAiWsHr0LEM
Yeah, right,,,,,,
December 9th, 2010
9:55 am
There goes Tony…telling everyone what to think again….not saying what HE thinks, mind you…but telling everyone else what THEY should think….
Meyer is a jerk….pure and simple……good riddance.
ack
December 9th, 2010
9:55 am
@sickos,
Everybody is somebody’s child, if you hadn’t noticed.
ALDawg
December 9th, 2010
9:57 am
Tony: Who proofreads your stuff? He should resign.
I’ve had my own issues with Meyer.
Frankly, I’m going to be surprised if it’s not Dan Mullen.
Little Nicky Is Not Jesus
December 9th, 2010
9:57 am
If I go to Alabama can I get a brand-new escalade like Julio Jones? Or can I get Albert Means type money? OH, That’s right Alabama doesn’t break the rules (WINK, WINK) LMAO!!
“These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred.”
Tech4Life
December 9th, 2010
9:58 am
Rumor on the message boards is that Urban is angling for the GT job to be closer to his daughter.
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
9:59 am
3rdN8, I guess I could see that. I’d just be afraid that Whittingham would be seen as a lazy move and going back to the Utah well. I do think he’s a great coach though. Petersen is only graduating a quarter of his players. That won’t sit well with the Florida BoT.
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
10:00 am
ALDawg
December 9th, 2010
9:57 am
Tony: Who proofreads your stuff? He should resign.
They only proofread what lands in the paper. This is an internet blog.
seg
December 9th, 2010
10:01 am
@ ALDawg,
Anyone that knows anything about SEC football would be surprised at this point if it’s anyone other than Mullen. Miss. St. hit the gold mine with Mullen, but they just don’t have the resources necessary to retain him. Too hot of a commodity and let’s be serious, living in Starksville or Gainesville? No contest, Miss. St. just cannot compete.
gdawginkalamazoo
December 9th, 2010
10:01 am
Oh well, Meyer looked like he was out of it half of the time this year. Just had nothing on the sidelines to give. This really mucks things up for some of the recruits. But it may not even matter depending on who they hire. I wonder if Tim cried when he saw the news.
merculf
December 9th, 2010
10:02 am
to compare letting Cam play to letting Rainey play is completely different and if you can’t see the difference then you need help. There is a huge difference between receiving stolen property and threatening someone’s life. UF’s program is filled with problem players (UGA’s too), Auburn doesn’t have that problem
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
10:03 am
Really surprised at UF fans reactions.
I worked in south Florida for several years, and still correspond with several of my former co-workers….mainly about CFB.
I haven’t heard from one that isn’t glad that Meyer resigned. Same on this board.
What gives? Although I didn’t care too much for some of his antics, I thought Meyer was an outstanding football coach.
ATL is TigerTown
December 9th, 2010
10:03 am
As a life long Auburn Tiger, Urban Meyer never bothered me even a little bit. I could not possibly care less if he goes or if he stays. If I had to choose, I’d vote for stay. War Eagle!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
December 9th, 2010
10:03 am
I’m glad he is gone…i agree with TB’s issues on his players behavior. Meyer let everything slide…at least Richt suspends people…even if it’s for a motorcycle helmet or a hit & run. Aside from Rainey, who should’ve never been let back on the team…all his players got slaps on the wrist.
SuperB
December 9th, 2010
10:04 am
1. Meyer was paid to win FB games– period! Mark Richt would have banished Chris Rainey (who was the difference in the UF win over UGA this year.) But Urban Meyer is NOT Mark Richt!
2. The reason Florida has come up in the CFB world is simple: The huge increase in the population of the state of Florida over the past 25 years. Any decent coach should be able to win big at Florida.
Jim 007
December 9th, 2010
10:04 am
I think this says it all….
” 30 football players arrested during Meyer’s six-year tenure, including 10 that resulted in felony charges “
PeteWill
December 9th, 2010
10:05 am
Tony, You make such a compelling case for why Meyer should NOT coach (his transgressions) that it’s hard to buy your comments about why it is not good that he is leaving. I hope he stays retired because of the reasons he gave yesterday about being a great husband and father. One year out in my opinion would be a joke and would turn him into the Brett Farve of coaching. Seriously, if he goes to Denver, how could anyone ever root for him again?
BAMA dude
December 9th, 2010
10:08 am
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
10:03 am
Really surprised at UF fans reactions.
I worked in south Florida for several years, and still correspond with several of my former co-workers….mainly about CFB.
I haven’t heard from one that isn’t glad that Meyer resigned.
Can’t speak for them but I think it was the despondent attitude combined with the bad season. He didn’t seem to have his heart in it (no pun intended). Don’t want someone around who isn’t, dare we say it, “All in.”
3rdN8
December 9th, 2010
10:08 am
the shelf life is getting shorter.
I saw fans tiring of Fulmer at UT, and fans tiring of Tuberville at AU. Long tenures seem to breed contempt.
Albeit this is a very small, and unscientific sample….UF fans seem to have tired of Meyer. Is six years too long anymore?
Refrigratormover
December 9th, 2010
10:09 am
Tony, way too stay classy. I bet your one of the nutlickers that’s glad he’s gone so y’all might be able to win in J’ville.
Atlanta Gator
December 9th, 2010
10:09 am
“He was flat wrong when he allowed Chris Rainey to return to the team and I said so. There are certain lines in life that you do not cross and threats against women is one of those lines. The rationalizations about who Rainey was and his background, etc., may have all been true. But all that pales in comparison to a text message that said “Time to die, ——-.””
Tony, you never said something or wrote something you didn’t really mean and regretted the minute you said it?”
Of course, before you say anything, you want a $1500 honorarium!
Shane
December 9th, 2010
10:09 am
To the guy posting all this Garbage about Bama cheating. This list is for you.
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?113778-List-of-NCAA-Schools-with-Infractions
The Truth
December 9th, 2010
10:10 am
Meyer is totally going to Notre Dame when Kelly gets let go.
This is a chess move,because Noter Dame will be open in a year or two.
Blaze
December 9th, 2010
10:11 am
Dawgtards who are jumping up and down with joy need to get real. Florida was slaughtering UGA long before Meyer went there. Nothing will change with Meyer gone.
And your own third-rate punk coach and sleazebag Richt will continue to go downhill.